The world, at least on the time scales that matter to us, is a living system. We humans are deeply embedded in this system and affect it to an extraordinary extent. Thus it is useful to understand how living systems, us included, use feedback loops to stay alive and prosper.

As Yuval Harari writes in Sapiens, it is our ability to talk about things that do not exist that gives us the predominance we have on this planet. With that ability comes the responsibility to talk about something that does not yet exist - the future - so that we create the chance that the future may be better than the past or present.

Ulrich Golüke: I was born a long time ago in Neuwied, Germany. I have since lived in a few countries and helped raise a few children. Over the years I've had the great fortune to work with some of the finest colleagues one can wish for. Bill Shaffer, Barry Richmond, Dennis Meadows and Jorgen Randers taught me system dynamics, Ged Davis and Betty Sue Flowers exploratory scenarios. And from my mother I learned that one should always leave a place just a little bit better than one found it. ...

Andrea Cederquist: has years of experience in social change management and communication working for NGOs, corporations and academia. She is a trained biologist and holds a M.Sc. in Environmental Management and Policy. Her practical and theoretical knowledge in of social innovation comes from her experiences in CSR-reporting in the private sector, working as a campaigner within the NGO sector, and through her current academic engagement in the field of transformational learning processes, strategic communication and social entrepreneurship. Her research interests are about theories of change relating to societal transformation and sustainability. She is currently teaching sustainability communication and marketing at the Kiel School of Sustainability (Christian Albrecht Universität zu Kiel), Germany, with a focus on campaigning and communications for societal change.

"Well organized, disciplined on sticking to the time schedule, very good facilitation."

"Good workshop – it delivered beyond expectations."

"I liked best the amazing group dynamics which continuously formed."

“It was a great combination of using creativity and reason”

“The way abstract, uncertain and concrete things came together”

“The methodology was able to open up so many options and then come down to concrete stuff”

“Specific exercises on uncertain questions brings people together on a mental level. They can understand each other and communicate ideas that would normally, when discussed explicitly, not be easy”

"It was amazing to be around you! Thanks for the inspiration!"

"Your remarks were well-received and brought clarity and understanding to a complex field of study. We particularly appreciated the detail and care with which you presented."

"I appreciated the elegance of your solutions to such a daunting situation."

"Thanks for a truly inspiring presentation. You broadened my vision of the future considerably. "

Intense thought process; The teacher had a lot of knowledge to share; It was very well organized; excellent guest speakers; Very much enjoyed this interactive class where I feel I will take a lot away with me; It was challenging but well worth the time; Professor Golüke was fantastic and presented a useful tool; Very inspiring course; One of my favourite classes.

"I just finished the book. It is a short, but very powerful book. I am still digesting, and will probably continue for many days, weeks, months, and hopefully, years to come." T. Bill

"I am touched, moved and inspired by your words. Your thoughts serve as important validation for the urges I am feeling to follow my heart and not my wallet. It is very scary, but equally liberating." C. Norton

"Ihave just finished reading another ‘must-read’ book. Ulrich’s book, I believe, comes from – or from very close to – a sentinel experience. Certainly, I feel ‘frames shifting’ in my mind as a result of reading his book ... Ulrich’s book gives context, meaning, ‘colour’ and detail to the preferred ‘New Sustainability Paradigm’. But Ulrich’s book is different; it is essentially a personal intellectual journey recounted in conversational style, making it a powerful invitation to envision this desirable future with its liberating changes and daunting challenges." E. Heij